UK-EU Relations: Energy and Climate

This briefing provides background on energy and climate provisions in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), developments in UK-EU cooperation on energy and climate since the UK left the EU, and the main outcomes of the May 2025 UK-EU summit.

Part 2, Title VIII of the TCA covers energy and lays down requirements on competitive energy markets and arrangements for the trading of energy through gas and electricity interconnectors. It also establishes a framework for cooperation on security of supply and includes provisions to support developing renewable energy.

Climate matters are primarily addressed in Part 2, Title XI, Chapter 7 (regarding a ‘level playing field’) and Part 6, Title II of the TCA. These sections include provisions that relate to maintaining each party’s respective level of ambition with regard to climate and environmental protection, implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, and upholding the Paris Agreement.

Since the UK and EU agreed the TCA, they have progressed cooperation on energy through the Specialised Committee for Energy.

Annual reviews of the implementation of the TCA are published by both the UK Government and the European Commission.

In addition, the UK hosted a UK-EU Summit in May 2025 where a new Common Understanding between both parties was reached. The Common Understanding included commitments to work towards strengthened cooperation across a range of policy areas, including energy and climate.

This briefing was prepared for a breakout session at the sixth meeting of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA), held in the UK Parliament on 17-18 November 2025.

The PPA was established under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and brings together members of the UK Parliament (MPs and Peers) and Members of the European Parliament.